Mindful Mastery - Breathe, Balance, and Blossom

On 5th February 2025, DAV Public School, Sector 49, Gurugram, hosted a workshop titled "Mindful Mastery - Breathe, Balance, and Blossom" for the students of Classes X and XII to aid them in their board exam preparations. The session was led by school counselor Ms. Manpreet Sandhu, with guidance from school principal Mrs. Charu Maini. The primary focus of the workshop was to equip students with effective tools for academic success, emotional well-being, and stress management. The session began with practical advice on digital organization and study tools, such as using digital planners and cloud storage to stay organized and manage study materials efficiently. Ms. Sandhu also introduced mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and meditation, which help students manage stress and enhance focus during their exam preparation.

The workshop then moved on to productivity-enhancing methods, including the Power Swish technique, which helps students replace negative thought patterns with positive, empowering ones, and the Pomodoro Technique, a time-management strategy that promotes short bursts of focused study followed by regular breaks. These methods were shared to help improve concentration, maintain energy levels, and prevent burnout. The session also covered techniques for improving memory retention, such as spaced repetition and active recall, which are effective strategies to combat forgetting and retain critical information for exams.

A significant theme of the session was the cultivation of a growth mindset. Ms. Sandhu emphasized embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and using empowered self-statements to boost confidence. Mrs. Charu Maini highlighted the importance of TAP management (Time, Attention, and Priority) and also guided students about the circular issued by CBSE on examination ethics, ensuring students are aware of the expectations and guidelines for the upcoming exams. Additionally, the session stressed the importance of resilience, self-care, and reflection, which are not only essential for exam preparation but also for life beyond them.

The workshop concluded with a discussion on lifelong learning, encouraging students to continue exploring new interests, acquiring skills, and maintaining a balance across the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of life through the Panchakosha Vikas framework. This framework advocates for holistic well-being, focusing on nurturing all aspects of the self—physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. The session reinforced that learning never stops and that resilience is key to achieving long-term success.